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By Kenya Godette

A project two years in the making has finally been unveiled. A semicircle of nine gleaming onyx monuments, each bearing the crest of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Black Greek Letter fraternities and sororities – collectively known as the Divine Nine, has been erected. The NPHC Plots were revealed during Old Dominion 91����Ƶ’s 2024 Homecoming in a ceremony that united the nine organizations, marking a historic moment for past, present and future NPHC members at ODU.

Situated on the Williamsburg Lawn, the 2,400 square-foot monument honors the legacies and founders of each organization and acknowledges their strength and fortitude amid racial discrimination on college campuses.

According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, structures like the plots were born in the first half of the 20th century, when Black students began to enroll at predominantly white institutions and encountered racism and exclusion from campus organizations like fraternities and sororities.

In response to the adversity, Black students created nine Greek Letter Organizations more than a century ago and constructed campus spaces like the plots where they felt welcomed and celebrated.

Now, ODU honors that history with plots of its own. The project was spearheaded by Zaria Gassaway, the three-term Student Government Association (SGA) president and member of NPHC organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Gassaway, who always knew she wanted to become a member of an NPHC organization, began advocating for the space during her sophomore year and before she became a member of the Divine Nine. She worked with fellow student Rashad Bea, member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and other NPHC members to outline a shared vision for the plots.

“We had to figure out what we wanted, what’s cohesive and what represents us in a way where people can observe and understand our culture without it being too closed off to only us (members of NPHC),” she said.

More than anything, Gassaway dreamt the space would reinforce the unity of the Divine Nine. “No matter the sorority or fraternity, at the end of the day, we’re all D-Nine. We’re one big family,” she said.

They presented their plan to ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. – a proud member of the Divine Nine’s Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – and he agreed to make it a reality with the help of Student Enrollment, Engagement & Services (SEES) and Facilities Management.

“The NPHC Plots are the culmination of a great deal of collaboration, dedication and vision,” said President Hemphill. “The plots are not just a physical space, but a powerful symbol of perseverance and unity, as well as a clear reflection of the enduring role and transformational impact of the Divine Nine. As a diverse community of scholars, we are proud to celebrate this historic milestone, which will inspire current and future generations of Monarchs to continue a culture of excellence and service.”

Vicki Williams, Ph.D., dean of students and associate vice president of engagement for SEES, who has been at the 91����Ƶ for 20 years, commends President Hemphill for “leaning into the voice of the students” for this project. Having been an advocate for student projects ranging from the Big Blue statue in Webb Center to the Mermaid on Monarch Way, she is excited to see another sustainable student initiative on campus. And as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, it’s a proud moment for her all the way around.

For alumni like La’Toya Nicole Edwards, Ph.D. ‘10, the plots are a testament to the foundation NPHC members laid 50 years ago – when the first Black Greek Letter Organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was chartered at the 91����Ƶ.

A 15-year member of the Lambda Eta Chapter, Dr. Edwards said this is something she and her sorority sisters have wanted for years. She believes the plots will add a “sense of placement” for Black fraternities and sororities at ODU.

As the Monarch community celebrates this monumental step forward, there are still big dreams for what’s to come.

Veleka Gatling, Ph.D.’96, associate vice president for Equity Inclusive Excellence and 30-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is excited students have a visible symbol on campus to inspire them to learn about local, state and national history. Her late father, who was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1953, taught her about the contributions NPHC members have made around the country and now she is encouraged that students can learn the same.

“The plaza makes me smile and keeps me hopeful,” she said.

Dr. Williams sees it as an opportunity elevate the community impact that all Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations have at ODU. While the plots reflect the philanthropic impact at the foundation of all NPHC organizations, she said the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council (PHC) and multicultural Greek organizations all bring service-oriented projects to campus.

Dr. Edwards is hopeful that the plots will engage prospective students during campus tours and draw alumni and their families back to campus for years to come.

“When we have our children, they can look and say, ‘this is a part of history that my mother or father was a part of,’” she said.

Gassaway envisions the plots becoming a space where students can host events, new member presentations and eventually personalize their individual areas. Above all, she hopes this is a reminder to all students that they can make a lasting impact on their campus.

“Reach for the stars and don’t let a ‘no’ stop you from reaching your ‘yes,’” she said.  “Be that advocate - for yourself and for others - no matter how big or small. Because that could be someone’s ‘why’: why they don’t transfer, why they don’t drop out, why they still show up.”

The NPHC Divine Nine organizations represented in the NPHC Plots are:

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated – founded in 1906 at Cornell 91����Ƶ
  • The Nu Theta Chapter was chartered at ODU in 1977
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated – founded in 1908 at Howard 91����Ƶ
  • The Kappa Gamma Chapter was chartered at ODU in1975
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated – founded in 1911 at Indiana 91����Ƶ
  • The Eta Omega Chapter was chartered at ODU in 1975
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated – founded in 1911 at Howard 91����Ƶ
  • The Tau Lambda Chapter was chartered at ODU in 1980
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated – founded in 1913 at Howard 91����Ƶ
  • The Lambda Eta Chapter was chartered at ODU in 1974
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated – founded in 1914 at Howard 91����Ƶ
  • The Omicron Iota Chapter was chartered at ODU in 1983
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – founded on 1920 at Howard 91����Ƶ
  • The Rho Nu Chapter was chartered at ODU in 1987
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated – founded in 1922 at Butler 91����Ƶ
  • The Theta Chi Chapter was chartered at ODU in 1982
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated – founded in 1963 at Morgan 91����Ƶ 91����Ƶ
  • The Zeta Rho Chapter was chartered at ODU in 2006